New target 9mm

For a target pistol chambered in 9mm, you could do a lot worse than the discontinued Smith & Wesson Model 952. Worth the search though, and the "going for" price (around a thousand dollars or less).

CNobbe said:

I've been thinking about a new target 9mm for a while. I recently ordered a new Glock 22 Gen 5 MOS but am wanting another 9. There are so many good choices to choose from, though finding one is another matter.

I'm primarily a paper puncher now, occasional steel challenge. This will be solely a range gun, no home defense/ccw use.

I'm drawn to the following models, they're all polymers. I'm not looking into a Glock 34 as I've got enough Glocks.

Here are the contenders:

Springfield XDM Elite OSP 4.5
Walther Q5 Match
Sig X5 Legion
Canik TP9SFX

Let me know what y'all think, I'm opened minded to all suggestions and have no brand bias as I have some experience with each brand and have had good experiences.

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Why plastic?

Are all the pistols you're considering striker fired? For target work, I would think a hammer fired pistol with a fine SA trigger would be the way to go. Some of the high end DA/SA CZs seem to be widely recommended. Though both are now out of production, the mentioned S&W 952s, along with the FN/Browning GP models, are capable of fine target accuracy. The reasonably priced American SIG P210A is a finely fitted SA with a trigger that averages a clean ~3 1/2#. My hammer fired, metal framed X-5 was also an excellent target pistol. Some more closely fitted 1911 type pistols are also very accurate in 9mm. If polymer construction is desired, an excellent, IMHO, polymer target pistol is the HK USP Expert. Though the USP is DA/SA, it's SA trigger is by far the finest I have ever experienced on a DA/SA pistol. My only CZs have been the more standard/basic models, but I've owned the other target type pistols I mentioned. All were very accurate and reliable pistols.

I realize it's a high tech, polymer, railed, hi cap., fully accessorized pistol World, and other than the USP, the pistols I mention are likely considered archaic now days

SwampWolf said:

For a target pistol chambered in 9mm, you could do a lot worse than the discontinued Smith & Wesson Model 952. Worth the search though, and the "going for" price (around a thousand dollars or less).

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I think you're mixing the 952 up with the 52, which is chambered in .38 Spl. The 952 starts around $2,000 for the most common variant in good condition and goes (way) up from there.

sparkyv said:

From your list, the easy choice is the SIG P320. It's got an excellent trigger for a striker fired, and besides I'm not a fan of the trigger safety for a range gun.

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Oddly enough, the trigger is what kept me from buying the Legion from my buddy. It wasn't bad, but there was grit in the take up, and a hitch before release....completely ruined what was otherwise the best feeling gun I've held in a while. Again, not because it was bad, but because everything else about it felt so good. Thought it might have just be new gun blues, but we put something like 600rnds thru it that day, and another few hundred the other time it was out....still feels the same.
I tried to convince him to pull the guts out of his M17 which has a fantastic trigger and put it in the Legion.....

Walther all the way.

For pure paper punching fun it's hard to beat a 9mm 1911.
I can't shoot a 5" group at 50 yards with any of the poly pistols (tried for years), but I can with my Kimber Target 9.

AustinTX said:

I think you're mixing the 952 up with the 52, which is chambered in .38 Spl.

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No, I've owned a Model 52 pistol and have used it in Bullseye competition since I bought it in the early seventies. What I am apparently "mixed-up" about is what kind of money the Model 952 is fetching today: incredible!

If you are left handed. I'd go solidly with the Springfield Armory. A close second would be the Canik. Springfield Armory is an excellent 9mm for the price. I am biased towards Springfield armory as they are truly ambidextrous out of the box while the others require modifications (I'm left handed). It's also an excellent reliable and accurate 9mm. The trigger is great. I have a Canik as well. It's also an excellent reliable and accurate as well, however, converting the magazine release is a real PITA. You can't go wrong with either if you are right handed. If you are left handed however, go with the Springfield Armory.

Good Luck

CH

Take a look into Dan Wesson DWX

But of your choices I would go with the Walther Q5, they are very nice. I haven't shot one personally but handled one. I've always been impressed with my Walther's and a steel framed Walther with their trigger would be sublime for a range gun.

I voted for Q5 Match because that's the one I chose and I have been satisfied with the choice. I had been considering a 9mm 1911 or maybe even the Sig P210 or CZ Shadow but I wanted a 9mm that was optics ready so I went with the Walther.

BreechFace said:

Dan Wesson DWX

But of your choices I would go with the Walther Q5, they are very nice. I haven't shot one personally but handled one. I've always been impressed with my Walther's and a steel framed Walther with their trigger would be sublime for a range gun.

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I'm very curious about your experience with the DWX.
What is it about that experience that would have you recommend it above those on the OP's list?
Thanks!

Does anybody have experience with DWX?
I have seen nothing to say they have made it into production.

I don’t have one, it’s on my must buy list. Just was suggesting it for the OP to look into in case it piques his interest.

I don’t think it’s out much in public but it has a lot going for it.

None of the above.

My choice would be a CZ Shadow 2 or SIG P210.

DWX is NOT even in production yet, so what exactly is he gonna check out? Dan Wesson has been closed since March.

CNobbe said:

If polymer construction is desired, an excellent, IMHO, polymer target pistol is the HK USP Expert.

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Unfortunately, USP Expert is a worse unobtanium than SIG X6.

I think the OP could be well served by replacing the Canik with Beretta Px4 in the selection list. Unfortunately, Px4 is not optics-ready, unless he's buying straight from Langdon, and his other guns all are.

CNobbe said:

I have plenty of metal pistols in the safe already.

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Gotcha

I personally just don’t consider a polymer striker a target gun, but maybe that’s just me.

If target shooting is the main thing get a single/double action with adjustable rear sight, gun here are my two favorites I have a Beretta 92FS and HK USP Expert. I like the Expert so much I have one in 9mm and .45 and am looking to get one in .40,

Or get a Sig 226 and put a adjustable rear sight on it or get a 1911 type gun.

Up to you if you want a strike fire gun on that list but a single action with a adjustable sight for both windage and elevation I think i best, you can get a normal Beretta 92 and put a adjustable sight on it a a cheaper route

CNobbe said:

I have plenty of metal pistols in the safe already.

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USP Tactical or Expert come with adjustable sight, very accurate , in fact the most accurate (for me) compared to any other gun I shoot. You can find them used for under $1100 if you are patient.

SwampWolf said:

For a target pistol chambered in 9mm, you could do a lot worse than the discontinued Smith & Wesson Model 952. Worth the search though, and the "going for" price (around a thousand dollars or less).

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$1000 or less?

Have you priced a 952 lately?